Hill, an American government teacher at the Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County, said his students make his job wonderful.

The feeling appears to be mutual. Hill was one of 12 Licking County teachers honored with the Excellence in Education award, sponsored by Transilwrap and given out by the Licking County Educational Service Center Tuesday evening. One teacher from every district in the county was honored with an apple shaped award and $250 check.

Hill was also recognized as C-TEC's teacher of the year for the 2016-17 school year.

"It's always nice to be recognized for something you're passionate about," Hill said. "C-TEC is a wonderful place to be and kids are eager to learn every day."

Michelle Snow, director of C-TEC's secondary center, said Hill is all about meeting students' needs.

"Whether it's in his classroom, whether it's mentoring or whether it's supporting other students outside of his classroom, he is just such a well rounded, caring, passionate individual," Snow said. "You couldn't ask for a better person to be spending the amount of time that he spends with our students."

Newark City Schools chose to recognize Newark High School science teacher Elizabeth Stine. Maura Horgan, Newark's director of curriculum and staff development, said Stine is a leader in the district.

Barb Quackenbush, Newark's director of certificated personnel, said Stine gives 110 percent in everything she does and nothing is done halfway.

"She works to bring out the best not only in her students, but within herself and others as well," she said.

Nelson McCray, the ESC superintendent, said to the crowd of more than 50 people that over the years, whenever he has gone into a school, he asks a custodian who's the best teacher in the building and they're always able to do it quickly.

"I think that's what happens here," he said. "Many of the principals or the superintendents they say 'I know the person ... I want to nominate for this award' because that comes to you very quickly who the best folks are."

Georgia Banks, with the Licking County Educational Service Center, said teachers give so much of their own money to their classroom and their students that they don't get reimbursed for. The check is for them to use for whatever they want, but Banks has a good guess on what most of them spend the money on.

"I bet you 99 percent of them take it home and figure out 'I can buy this book for the classroom, I can buy this,' but it's just nice that they don't have to," she said.

mdevito@gannett.com

740-328-8513

Twitter: @MariaDeVito13

Excellence in Education Award winners:

C-TEC: Howard Hill, American government

Granville Exempted Village Schools: E.B. Smith, advanced English and elements of literature

Heath City Schools: Nathan Snederer, high school biology

Johnstown-Monroe Local Schools: Tim Franks, fourth grade math

Lakewood Local Schools: Chris Davis, district math coach

Licking County Licking County Educational Service Center: Blair Linton, intervention specialist at Granville Elementary School

Teachers from 12 school districts across Licking County were honored Tuesday night with Excellence in Education awards sponsored by Transilwrap and given out by the Licking County Educational Service Center.(Photo: Maria DeVito/The Advocate)